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Few topics raise spirited discussion and even heated debate in the church than the topics of “the last days” and “the return of Jesus.” This might be especially true as we witness the war with Iran, the dangers of travelling in the Middle East (or Europe, or the Caribbean, or Mexico, or . . .) and the upcoming 2026 elections with an inordinate number of anti-American Democratic Socialists and suit-wearing Islamic jihadists running for office and winning their party’s endorsements.
Surely these are among the many signs that we live in “the last days.” Right?
For over two thousand years, ever since the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, the world has been living in the last days. Every generation has believed they were living in the last of the last days. Our generation fits in perfectly with that line of thinking. Rarely a day goes by without some incident in the world causing someone to say, “Jesus has got to be coming back any day!”
It’s almost as if they think He’s returning by 2 o’clock tomorrow.
I don’t want to burst anybody’s bubble and the day will come when it really will be something like 2 o’clock tomorrow. However, that day is not today.
Of course, another key part of the debate is the timing with regards to “The Great Tribulation.” It can be very entertaining watching people debate as to whether Jesus is coming back Pre-Trib, Post-Trib, Mid-Trib or A-Trib. The fact is, when it comes to the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy, and maybe especially prophecy about the return of Jesus, nobody knows for sure. As one pastor says, “I’m Pan-Trib. It will all pan out in the
end!”
And time marches on.
The Gospel of the Kingdom must reach every people group first.
In Matthew 24:14, Jesus said, “This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” That was the last part of Jesus’ answer to the questions raised by His disciples who asked Him for the sign of His coming and the end of the current age.
The gospel must reach the unreached.
It has generally been universally understood that until every people group on the planet has hear the gospel of salvation only through Jesus Christ, Jesus will not return. He is willing that none should perish ( 2 Peter 3:9).
For several years, leading specialists in international missions, known professionally as missiologists, have taught that all of the remaining unreached people groups on the planet have been identified. They number close to 2500. Here’s the kicker: It is now believed that every unreached group will have the Bible in their own language somewhere near
2032 or 2033. This was reiterated in a great message my wife and I heard this last Sunday of August.
In other words, it is not only feasible but likely that Matthew 24:13 will be fulfilled by 2033, about 7 years from now.
What if Jesus were to return 7 years from now?
First of all, let me be clear: I am NOT predicting the return of Jesus in 2033. I am, however, suggesting that if Matthew 24:13 is fulfilled in 2033, the last of the last days could very likely be accelerated.
That is the real point of this article. I left church asking myself, “What if Jesus were to return 7 years from now? How would that impact my daily life?”
I am inviting you to consider the same questions for yourself.
My first thought is to ask myself about how well I am practicing Luke 19:13. The King James Version of that verse says to “occupy until I come.” Most other translations say, “engage in business until I come.” Both translations mean for us to occupy our minds and to engage ourselves in the work of God’s kingdom business on earth until Jesus returns.
At Restore Minnesota, we do that two ways.
First, we remember that every person is created in the image of God and is in need of a Savior. Nobody is perfect. All have sinned, fall short of God’s righteous requirements and we cannot do anything about it ourselves. We can’t fix us.
Jesus lived, taught, was murdered and resurrected to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. He invites us all into His kingdom. Each of us must individually answer the question He asked of His closest followers, “Who do you say that I am?” Your answer to that question determines your eternal destiny.
Second, we remember we live in a fallen world and we have been tasked with partnering with God in restoring His righteousness in the earth. We must fight for truth. We must resist evil. That is both a spiritual and physical battle. We are called to bring the message of salvation through Christ alone and restore biblical principles in every sphere of culture. That is our task.
A Restore Minnesota Community Action Team (CAT) is a great place to join with others and fulfill your task. None of us were meant to work alone.
If you don’t live in Minnesota and you are a follower of Jesus, join or create your own version of a CAT. Call it whatever you want. Get a copy of our book, Courageous Christianity: Living A Life Of Faith In A World That Desperately Needs Jesus. We’ll provide the skeleton for you. If you’d like, you can reach out to us so we can help you put meat on the bones in a way that fits where you live.
We have a nation to save. We have God’s kingdom to advance.
We are at war “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). Sometimes, these spiritual forces work in the physical. We fight there, too.
Jesus will return. It doesn’t matter if it’s in 7 years or 7 hundred. We have a community, state, nation and world to save.
So, take up the whole armor of God. Fight the good fight of faith. Occupy, engage in kingdom business, until He comes.
Dale
Rev. Dale A. Witherington, Chief Steward
Restore Minnesota / Restore Minnesota ACTION
Dale@RestoreMN.org
www.RestoreMN.org |
